Arcanum

Navitus Parfums Arcanum is part of the trio of new releases from March 2020. Out of the sprayer, it smells like a sweeter, cinnamon/vanilla/coconut/tonka cousin of Absolutio, but on skin, the prominence of the oud creates a more of a blend between the sweet elements and oud, not a gourmand. Other contributing notes include resins, woods, and osmanthus. Evolution wise, the sweets are most prominent in the initial blast, with the oud almost taking over, before finding a balance after about 60-90 minutes. I rather enjoy this juxtaposition: a medley of sweet, creamy, resinous, if slightly powdery notes, contra the strong Laotian oud. Still, overall, Arcanum is pretty sweet, not as a sweet as Absolutio but perhaps the second sweetest in the Navitus line that I’ve tried so far. I really dig the coconut/oud combination, in particular. Though the cinnamon/vanilla mix is more prominent for me in the start, the coconut is what resonates for me longer into wearing. Its performance is strong, right up there next to the two ouds from the original seven, and following the precedent of most of the releases consisting of dense, long-lasting juice. Currently, Arcanum is only sold on the Navitus website, though I believe both Perfumology and Osswald NYC will ultimately have it available on their sites, as well. It’s sold in only the 50ml size, parfum concentration, for $135. Like Lautus, I think Arcanum is a great release for the new trio, and I’m further looking forward to trying Opulentas, as well! Overall, Arcanum is right up there with my favorite releases of the house, a real nice option for cooler weather, especially, I’d say, 8 out of 10

#1484 in my "Tour de Fragrance" I was in a German hotel for a marketing meeting when I discovered a marvelous German chocolate bar with cinnamon and coconut by Nucao.At first bite I was like, "How the hell have America chocolatiers never thought of that?" Sadly it's not available here. But that's what this scent brought to mind and had me wishing this scent had some cacao in it. Still, it's a unique and delicious scent that I think both men and women can enjoy. It's not gourmand per say, no sweetness, which adds to its uniqueness, and the olibanum adds to its endurance. Sillage is very moderate but the skin scent holds up, and I think this is really a scent you wear for the enjoyment of an intimate partner more than causal or business wear. This is not widely available here in the States and prices run $200-300 and up, so try a decant first and make sure it's worth it to you. It's pricey, but it is a singular scent those around you are unlikely to have smelled before. The only other time I've encountered cinnamon and coconut in a scent is Armaf "Odyssey Artisto" which lacks the olibanum and this has and I think Artisto is trying to be a JPG Le Beau similar. I got this as a decant, but when Maxaroma gets it back in stock I'm going for it

Currently the top "reminds me of" is Herod and I can see what people are smelling. It definitely smells somewhat like Herod, but it's still different. Something in this gives off that tobacco vibe from Herod, but it's closer to a booze scent to my nose than a honey cigar. Regardless, I love it and I was going to let this travel size go, but it's worth keeping now.

I really really like this. I went into the Discovery Set pretty sure Lautus was the one I'd love and even though Lautus is great it was Arcanum who stole the show. The smell is familiar, it certainly is but it's executed in a masterful way and it's crazy long lasting. One of the best by Navitus, perhaps the best so far. Bottle worthy!

This fragrance is intoxicating. However, the above comparisons are way off. This smells nothing like side affect, nothing like Polaris, nothing like 24 good, nothing like rhagba. This are people randomly voting. This fragrance is nothing like I've smelled it's incredible

I just sprayed this on for the first time. So far I really like it! Sweet, but not too sweet, interesting, and well blended. Update: the lasted on me through the night. Very cozy, comforting, and I kept wanting to sniff it!

This smells amazing! This smells like Herod but with depth. I believe it’s from the Oud and coconut. There’s something a bit more sweet in this as well. The cinnamon note is also very prominent to my nose. Unique!

I have it and doesn't smell like a clone of nothing. No Oajan, not Herod nothing that has been said. IT HAS the same profile of Herod but nothing more. Not a clone and nothing similar to that

Beautiful creation. Almost 'Xerjoff like' in richness. Not quite to that level of refinement but certainly headed in that direction. The presentation is impressive as well.

This scent is the most exquisite blend of oud, spice, and sweetness. It doesn't pull me in as much as Virtus or Navus, but it is still a magical fragrance.

Probably one of my favorite fragrances. Projection is amazing. Sillage is great. Haven’t worn this yet without a compliment.

This smell genuinely like Xerjoff Malesia but sweeter.

Nice, sweet and powdery. Definitely get the Herod but I also get Side Effect as well. For anyone who hasn’t tried Navitus, I’ll definitely say initially I thought all of my samples were clones because I tried on paper. But on skin, I can say there are some differences that set these apart. If you have said scents then some may be redundant, but I’d definitely try on skin with a sample.

A clone of a clone of a clone of a clone of a clone of a clone of a clone of a clone of a clone of a clone. Did I mention it's a clone? And yes I smelled all of them thanks to a friend's discovery set.

Pricing is absurd. Do not blind buy. Try to get a split from someone else. I was able to sample. Huge pass. Not for me.

Arcanum smells like toffee cinnamon apple pie with whipped cream. It's a rich, creamy, sophisticated, sexy, delicious, cinnamony banger. The entire navitus line(the 3 I've tried at least) are for mature audiences only. If you're immature you will most likely hate this entire house. This is a very autumn-esque fragrance with and underlying milky sweetness of coconut. When you smell this you won't think its a coconut fragrance, but when you give it some wearings, and you love coconut like I do, you can definitely detect a milky sweetness of coconut that holds the fragrance together. Toffee isn't listed in the notes but I smell something like toffee that lasts all throughout the fragrances life. All the other components to the fragrance keep it from getting cloying. its very well-balanced,completely unisex and completely unique from the 75 fragrances I own.

I blind brought this as I love the notes and the perfumer is Really interesting to me I like his work so far, I’m split on this as the smell is amazing, like really good yet the performance is really bad, I get 2-3 hours on my skin and it’s gone and projection for 30mins tops, I get a really nice Herod/ fan your flames combo although it isn’t a clone of either in my opinion it different enough to be its own scent as I know this line gets hammered for being potential copies. For £140 for 50ml by the time postage and customs was paid. I was hoping for something a bit more powerful, It is also odd that there is not mention in or on the box of the is EDP or extrait or EDT for that matter given the longevity. If someone made this In a stronger more potent formula it would be in my top 5 for sure. However it so weak I might have to sell it 😢

When spraying this for the first time you will get an intense, sweet, and dark/mysterious vibe with this fragrance. The cinnamon comes off really strong, which will remind people of Side Effect by Initio and a PDM Herod vibe with the coconut. The Tonka bean adds a dusty dry sweet vibe along with the Laotian Oud which gives it an alluring feel. I didn't get that much coconut but I do get a rich, creamy, sophisticated, sexy, delicious, cinnamony experience. Its very well-balanced, and completely unique. Definitely will give this a lot of burn in the Fall and Winter months.

I ordered three samples ... Arcanum, Amouage Meander and Layton Exclusif. One had leaked in the post, smelled like Le Male Le Beau and so from description assumed was Arcanum. Sniffed the decants, the sample labelled Arcanum was lovely, well rounded, evident niche quality ... but it wasn't the coconut one. So clearly the decant was mislabelled right? Turns out, Arcanum is bloody lovely. I'm still very confused by the Amouage being the meh one of the three ... now Arcanum can't be found ... bugger!

Based on the notes I thought I would really love this- but not so much. The cinnamon combined with one of the other notes (not sure which) is coming off as licorice to me. For that reason, it’s reminding me of La petite robe noir a bit. It’s just not as dark & delicious as I thought it would be. Update- that odd licorice note I’m getting goes mostly away the more it dries down and it becomes a very sweet vanilla with Amber. Now it reminds me of Ambre Eccentrico from Armani.

This is intense, sweet, dark and the cinnamon is really strong, it makes me think of Side Effect by Initio, which I own. The resins in here are pretty prominent to my nose, the coconut and vanilla are not so much, getting a bit of dusty dry tonka too. soooo I don't know that I NEEDED this but I am glad that I have it, its really nice. I need to actually test this side by side with Side Effect from initio and do an updated review.

This is an excellent fragrance! In the opening get a cross between Pafums de Marly Herod and Oajan. A delicious spicey and sweet scent. Ad it dries down i get a Black Afgano vibe. Very well blended. I get good projection and longevity on my skin. I see this as more of a masculine scent that works well in formal or trendy attire. If you like Herod or Black Afgano, this one is worth a sample.

When i grow up i Wannabe Herod. This fragrance is Herod 2.0 with added Coconut, which is not a bad thing at all! If you find this fragrance at a discounted price def grab it on the spot! 8H Plus longevity, 3H projection! Solid 8! Oh and Steven! Im just sayin Man! if you lower the prices these are going to sell like Hot Cakes!

Received this in the discovery set and, no idea why, but what my nose smells is a vibe very close to D&G By Man . It has that powdery aspect but maybe a bit darker than the D&G. Either way, this is good stuff and full bottle on the way.

Old bottle is great. Something went wrong with the formulation on the new bottles so the coconut is too much and destroys the scent. If you like it get old bottle only until they fix the formulation

Arcanum is definitely better than the rating listed above..this one is like a mix of Carlisle and Herod with a slight gourmand feel and slight oud..Would be a good Date Night scent